José Tolentino
 | This biographical article is written like a résumé. (May 2011) |
| José Tolentino | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Tolentino in Vilseck, Germany in 2013 | |
| First baseman | |
| Born: June 3, 1961 Mexico City, Mexico | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: July 28, 1991, for the Houston Astros | |
| NPB: April 10, 1993, for the Seibu Lions | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: October 6, 1991, for the Houston Astros | |
| NPB: July 3, 1993, for the Seibu Lions | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .259 |
| Home runs | 1 |
| Runs batted in | 6 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Batting average | .152 |
| Home runs | 1 |
| Runs batted in | 6 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
José Franco Tolentino (born June 3, 1961) is a Mexican former professional first baseman who played in Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Houston Astros in 1991. He has coached for the Mexico national baseball team at various tournaments since at least the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Playing career
[edit]Tolentino began his college baseball career at Seminole State College in Oklahoma. He helped lead Seminole to the finals of the JUCO World Series in both 1981 and 1982.[1][2] He was named to the all-tournament team in 1981.[3] Tolentino was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 36th round of the 1981 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign.[4]
Tolentino earned all-conference honors in his only season at the University of Texas after hitting .339 and setting what were then school records with 73 RBI and 28 doubles. He hit .458 in regional play as Texas went on to win the College World Series title in Omaha in 1983. Tolentino was a nominee for the Golden Spikes Award along with Dave Magadan.
In the minors, he played for the Tucson Toros at Hi Corbett Field. Tolentino Led the Southern League in hits in 1986 with 170, was named to the Northwest League All-Star team in 1983, and finished third in the league in batting; the team also included Jose Canseco, Terry Steinbach and Mark McGwire. Before going to the big leagues in 1991, Tolentino hit in 30 consecutive games to wrap up the year. The streak was the longest in pro baseball. He hit.413 with 11 home runs during the streak (July 27 – September 1), and finished with 21 homers to lead Tucson. Tolentino drove in 56 of his 78 RBI in just two months, earning the 1990 Topps Baseball Achievement Awards for the month of August next to Jeff Bagwell.
Tolentino became the first Mexican to play in Japan. In Mexico, he led his team, Potros de Tijuana, to his first Pacific League title in 1991, and earned MVP for the season, batting .329 with 55 RBI and 11 home runs. In 1995 and 1996, he led Monterrey to its second straight Mexican League title hitting .342 with 104 hits, 24 doubles, 16 home runs, and 79 RBI.
Coaching career
[edit]In 2007, he was a coach for the Mexican national baseball team at the 2007 Pan American Games. In 2008, he managed Mexico in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was a coach for Mexico in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.
Broadcasting career
[edit]Tolentino has worked as a broadcaster for ESPN, the Anaheim Angels, FOX Sports, FOX Sports International and Direct TV.
Personal life
[edit]Tolentino's son, Milan, is a professional baseball player.[5]
He is married to French-Canadian Nathalie Carrier.
References
[edit]- ^ Fallstrom, R.B. (May 28, 1981). "Seminole takes 'Bumble Ball' battle". The Daily Sentinel. p. 23. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Seminole in junior finals". The Tampa Times. Associated Press. June 3, 1982. p. 2C. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Past years..." The Daily Sentinel. May 27, 1982. p. 39. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "36th Round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Aguilas interview Jose Tolentino". The Desert Review. July 9, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet
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- 1961 births
- Albany-Colonie A's players
- Baseball players from Mexico City
- Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
- Calgary Cannons players
- Columbus Astros players
- Houston Astros players
- Huntsville Stars players
- Living people
- Major League Baseball players from Mexico
- 20th-century Mexican sportsmen
- Major League Baseball infielders
- Mexican expatriate baseball players in Canada
- Mexican expatriate baseball players in the United States
- Modesto A's players
- Oklahoma City 89ers players
- Potros de Tijuana players
- Rochester Red Wings players
- Seminole State Trojans baseball players
- Tacoma Tigers players
- Texas Longhorns baseball players
- Tucson Toros players
- Mexican expatriate baseball players in Japan
- Seibu Lions players
- Sultanes de Monterrey players
- Mat-Su Miners players
- Águilas de Mexicali players